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Ride-Strong.com would like to give a Colnago bike away in the month of July, and their asking us to help out by telling all our cycling friends.

visit: http://www.ride-strong.com/cowabunga-win-a-brand-new-colnago-carbon-bike-update

As always Ride-Strong!

Hill Climbing Technique Tips

Recently, I posted my favorite training tip from Josh Horowitz for working towards better hill climbing. In the same article, 7 Tips for Climbing to the Top, he also gives this excellent tip:
Positioning - Start the climb near the front. If you start near the back, not only will you have to keep the pace of the lead riders, you will have to make the additional effort of accelerating around dropped riders. A strong climber might be able to bridge one or two gaps, but if it is a long climb and a big pack, eventually they will burn their last match and go off the back, even if their power-to-weight ratio is higher than that of the leaders.


I saw this during my recent 2 day event, The Ride to Conquer Cancer. While many cyclists there were much better riders than myself, they just don’t have the experience we take for granted when cycling along the PCH out of Malibu. There were minor hills early on where people were walking in herds. I simply do not have the cycling strength to over come that loss of momentum and had to walk as well until I caught on that this was going to keep happening unless I got ahead of the pack. So I peddaled up as best I could after the hill. Victory! I was back in the saddle for a much better event. We’ll see what happens next month with the Marin Century ride. I imagine that is going to be much more climb.

Where I am on my cycling goals

I set a goal for 2008 of 2600 miles. Since I had not set mile goals before I was in a position of not really knowing what to base it on. I thought 50 miles a week sounds doable and still maintain a real life (uh huh). I’ve had some weeks where I have more than toped that, others where I have slacked off completely. I may not be making my weekly miles but I am certainly more focused than I was last year.

Last year was a lesson in being on the bike – I mean it, it was that basic. Ride from the house to my son’s school (1 mile) with out passing out. Taking my hand off the handlebar to reach for the water bottle without wiggling all over the road. Let’s not forget looking over my shoulder to change lanes or just see who is passing me!

This year, I’ve worked on the mechanics as well as getting over my fears. Many times I do things simply because it felt like good sound advice, but more and more I am learning the whys of these things and even passing on simple advice to others. These are things I should have added to my goals for 2008. So right here, right now, mid year I am adding “become a more knowledgeable rider” to my cycling goals.

Events I have participated in this year:
• Solvang Century – March
• Crusin’ The Conejo – May
• Los Angeles River Ride – June
• The Ride to Conquer Cancer – June

Events I will participate in:
• Moonfest – July
• Marin Century – August
• Spooktacular – October
• Solvang Prelude – November
• Tour de Foothills – November

Do I have cancer?

I honestly don’t know how to answer that. I don’t feel like a survivor, I don’t feel like those incredible people I see all around me, and I’ve never had chemo. I just feel fortunate, so I say no.

Let me explain, I have had tumors that pop up now and then. They’ve been showing their ugly self for over 23 years now (the first when I had a one year old daughter). I have two at the moment.

I am fortunate in the respect, that they are all perfectly round and as my doctor once said, “we can scoop them out with a melon baller” I see them as an inconvenience. I don’t think I am in denile, I’m well aware that each one is potentially the once that malforms and changes my life. But for now, I will be grateful that I am not among the ones I ride for.

I do have another challenge. I am very fair skinned and freckled. Mom gave me red hair too. This means that I have a few small melanomas that we watch carefully. I often joke that all this riding for the cause is going to kill me with skin cancer.

Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

Tuesday, June 17th was a historic day for same sex couples all over California, but for us (Dave and I) we were priviledged to be invited to a very special joining of two people who were able to finally able to commit legally after a 15 year wait.

Am I saying this wasn’t historic? Hell, no! What I am saying is that admit all the political hoopla, media and photo ops that the day invited, Paul Waters and Kevin Voecks very clearly showed us that two people who love each other can share their union amid their family, friends and more cakes then my hips can handle.

The event took place at a quiet, corporate setting, beneath the trees with the river nearby. The grooms invited us into their lives by sharing stories. We learned who they loved and laughed with and that so many small things had special meaning. I wiped tears out of my eyes, as my 4″ heels sunk into the grass, thankful to be a part of their historic day.

A Times reporter is there when, capping a day of last-minute bustle, two men are wed after 15 years together. (The auto slide show is fabulous!)

Hill Training Tips

A long time ago I bookmarked web page “Tips for Climbing to the Top” By Josh Horowitz. With time ticking away until The Ride to Conquer Cancer™ I thought I better buckle down and take advantage of every tip and trick out there.

So I started with number 1 …Cadence.
According to Horowitz, here’s how you do it: Find a flat road and attempt to pedal at 120 rpm for 10 minutes. Try to do it all at once with no breaks. There should be very little resistance on the pedals. Do this once or twice per week, adding five to 10 minutes each week. Over time, build up to a full hour.

At first you will find yourself bouncing around in the saddle and you may even experience cramping and saddle irritations. However, as muscle memory develops, you will become smoother and more efficient.  Click to read more.

Revo Cycles, the Starbikes of the PCH

While the website may be the cure or fuel for bike envy, Revo Cycles real world store is the perfect SAG stop for any cyclist. Located in Dana Point it may not be a bad pit stop on your next LA to San Diego ride. Whatever takes you there, enjoy the bicycles and expresso bar to its fullest. You might find this spoiled girl at the fire pit after they valet park my bike!

Oh Canada! Or how I prepared for The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

I often travel to Canada for my business, but this time I went to enjoy a BNI Conference (scored a copy of Dr. Ivan Misner’s yet-to-hit-the-stands book, 29% Solution, thank you very much) in Toronto, and ride with Richard, my Canadian riding partner for the upcoming event.

Richard suggested I leave the downtown hotel once the conference was over and bring myself and the bike over to his side of town. I really didn’t want to move all my stuff but it seemed like a better place to be in terms of smooth operations and such. And you know me, I’m all about the schedule.

Tottenham turned out to be the cutest place in the world with great roads to cycle. On day one we pulled my bike (Trek WSD 1.2) out of the B I G iron case and popped it all together. It was easier than I thought it would be, but I am sure that is because Richard did it for me. After a bit of that, we left the drive and started on our way…. as did the rain drops.

We rode a little less than 2 miles up the road and hit our first hill. It wasn’t Encinal Canyon but it took a little effort. I have to say, hitting a hill with a 2 mile warm up isn’t my favorite thing to do. I used to hear people say “It takes me about 8 miles to really warm up” and I thought, “gee, after 8 miles, I’d rather be in the car” but things are a little different now. The next hill was a bit more difficult which I stormed at a whopping 4 miles an hour. Richard told me those were the hardest hills of the route and I was a little stunned that was all and maybe relieved.

The silly thing is the bike I brought to Canada has a cyclometer set in miles but the one in Los Angeles, is in kilometers. I actually like it that way, because doing the math conversion keeps me busy and I don’t notice other things like being tired on the climbs so much (I still notice).

At this point, the rain was coming down pretty hard and it was getting hard to see. I had already ridden into the dirt shoulder twice and had to stop. It didn’t seem like I would be able to make my way through much more without cycling into a building or off the road. We decided to return and did an honourable 10 miles, knowing that the next day would have better weather.

Day two was planned for 60 km (37 miles). Richard seemed worried about a distance like that for me. I told him he might be right to worry but if I don’t get off my butt for 60 km then I won’t be able to handle next week’s Crusin’ the Conejo at 68 miles (109.5 km). This lazy girl needs to get in gear. Speaking of gears, the chain on this bike is <I>still</I> giving me trouble.

So if you thought I was unhappy about Saturday’s hills with little or no warm up at less than 2 miles, you should have seen me on Sunday when we clipped in and went right to a hill! This day was a group ride with just a hand full of people – 5 including myself – who would be doing the June Toronto to Niagara event with me.

We tackled one hill after another, no flats between but some low grade false flats. Richard and another rider took off like jack rabbits and I was pacing with the other two. One woman had only had her bike out last week since the summer and the man there hadn’t ridden since he was 14, but his father died of lung cancer this past January and he was determined to be a part of this – really touched my heart.

By the time we were about 4 miles in of these hills – oh, did I mention the winds? – I stopped to fumble with something and noticed they were stopping to walk a hill. On the next downhill the winds were so fierce that I could not ride straight into them and was forced into a zigzag. I could not believe that I was doing 7 mph downhill! I told my two riding partners that this was silly and I would ride another mile with them and then turn back to the cars where the hills were more rollers with lesser winds and I could get my miles in.

Not only did they agree, but Richard and his partner had come back, listened to my game plan and did the same. We rode down the road, it was quite an ego boost to the other two who had thought they bit off more than they could chew.  They were able to look back, see what they did and continue on for a bit more cycling. However,  I am not sure what happened after that. We didn’t do much more and then Richard pulled us back to the cars. I am guessing all told, we did about 15 miles that day.

I am flying back today, out of two for two more days without my bike then in meetings aaaallllll of Thursday. Friday is a half day then I leave for the Saturday event. My only hope is that the next hotel has a gym with an indoor trainer. Otherwise I am just a wee bit worried about Crusin’ the Conejo. But you know me, I love a good stress filled week!

Yakkity Yak, He Go Smack!

Please note, this is a public service announcement for all those that feel cycling with their cell phone is, in fact, a wise thing to do.

Friday, I knew I did not have a lot of time to ride so I thought I would make the most of it by doing laps on San VIncente (false flats – work those muscles!) in a higher gear, head over to Helen’s to pick up a few things that I had been meaning to and then take the flats at double speed. I felt very productive and just a little smug. As I was coasting and mulling over my plan for the days ride, some guy passes me without calling out and actually looks over his shoulder at me, as he swings one leg over the saddle and starts doing circus tricks. Honestly, that woke me up and I realized that I was not doing what I was out to do. I buckled down to get back to work and started to peddle, passing clown boy and then forgetting all about him.

A few miles up the road, I dismount, make a call to Dave, “Hey Birthday Boy, want to meet me for lunch?” (btw, when its your husband’s b-day he still pays). I get back on the bike, scoot over to the left turn lane when I hear coming up behind me “Yeah, I’m out on the bike in Santa Monica” then THUD! as he slams into the back of the car that was waiting at the light for the turn

There are a few things that you should know:
1) He never missed a beat and continued on his phone call while rubbing his injured parts.
2) The drivers wanted to know what happened but since the cyclist didn’t think it was important to hang up, I felt that maybe he owed them more of an explanation than I did
3) And this should not be surprising.. he did not have a helmet
4) Its a day later and I still can not figure out how you can miss a large white car, or why he was in the middle of the lane instead of off to the right.

How Peer Pressure Made Me Get Over Myself

About a month ago I rode with one of my BNI buddies. He had not been on the bike in over two years, and I am not the most experienced rider in the world – it seemed like the perfect match. We would ride, do lunch and discuss how we can help each other in terms of our businesses (This is called a One to One or Dance Card in BNI).

I learned more than just about his business that day. I learned that peer pressure is a powerful tool. As we rode I asked many questions to really understand not what he does, but the type of connection I could make for him. We tried to stay at a pace that matched each other so we could carry a conversation that involved just the right amount of yelling and hearing. I’ve got a fear of hills — not the uphill part but out of control speed you get going downhill without your breaks. Every time I would feather my breaks he would yell “No breaks, no breaks!” much to my chagrin. Eventually, I was so embarrassed that I just gave in.

In one day, he accomplished what my coaches, hypnotherapists and cycling partners have been unable to do. When I rode the Solvang Century ride a few weeks ago I could hear the voice of  “No Breaks Man” yelling at me to take the descent for everything it was worth. I found myself zipping down hill at 58 mph (OK, I will admit I threw up a little later). I would not recommend this to anyone else as a training method, I prefer a different kind of motivation, but I did have to ask myself “what’s working?”.